A Matlab‐based optimization algorithm is introduced for inverting fault structures from observed gravity anomalies. A convenient graphical user interface is also presented for incorporating the input parameters without any technical complexity to any users. The inversion code uses particle swarm optimization, and all control parameters are tuned initially for faster convergence. There is no requirement of prior choice of an initial model, that is the advantage of using global optimization. The optimization technique is versatile enough to handle any depth‐varying density distributions. The maximum number of iterations and stopping criterion is fixed initially for getting the best optimized solution. The inverted model's output in terms of fault structure, observed and inverted gravity anomalies and dip, and vertex location of fault plane can be viewed in the graphical user interface at the end of the optimization process. The optimization algorithm is applied to different synthetic models with fixed and depth‐varying density contrasts. All synthetic models are further contaminated with white Gaussian noise for sensitivity analysis, and detailed uncertainty appraisal was also performed for the reliability estimation. Finally, the optimization is implemented for fault structure inversion of the Aswaraopet boundary fault, India, and found that the optimized solution provides a good agreement with the previously published literature. Optimized results indicate that this novel optimization approach demonstrates a robust implementation of fault inversion for any depth‐varying density distributions.
Listric faults were first introduced by Suess (1909) for describing faults in coal mines in northern France. The fault planes of listric faults are generally upward concave in nature, and the dip decreases with depth (Shelton, 1984). Listric faults have particular importance in the formation of sedimentary basins. Most of the listric faults are generally occurs during the formation of rift or formation of passive continental margins (Bally et al., 1981). The curvature occurred due to the thick sediment depositions in case of boundary faults (Chakravarthi, 2011). Listric fault can produce structural trap by relative displacement of strata to create a barrier to petroleum migration (Sheth, 1998;Yamada & McClay, 2003). It also has structural importance for mineral explorations (Song et al., 2012).The gravity method is one of the oldest geophysical approaches for subsurface imaging. In general, gravity inversion for subsurface parameter estimation is non-unique but by incorporating proper constraints (Florio, 2020;Li & Oldenburg, 1996;Portniaguine & Zhdanov, 2002) a stable and converging parameter optimization can be achieved. In our present study, the density contrast is assumed to be known from borehole logging and used as a constraint for fault structure estimation. Furthermore, an uncertainty appraisal provides a reliable solution for any ill-posed problem.The gravity method is one of the passive geophysical techniques to study the interior of the Earth. The ground gravity survey is very fast, inexpensive, and can cover a large study area via non-destructive measurements. The gravity method plays a vital role in geological structure estimation and exploration purposes. There are numerous implementations, such as, structure estimation of sedimentary basins (
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